The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. 

Is 25: 6a, 7-9, Rom 8: 14-23, Lk 23: 33, 39-42

 Every day we have seen, heard, or read in the newspaper about deaths caused by old age, sickness, accident, war, violence and natural disaster. We think death is something happening to other people, not to us. Most people can cope with life despite strenuous hardships.

However, few people want to deal with death. People also find it difficult to accept the death of a young person and loved one. That state of mind means people are afraid of death or do not want to die yet because they are afraid of facing what happens  in the next life that they do not know in advance. There are those who fear death that they told their loved ones to hold their hands and feet fast at their point of death.

 In fact, death can happen to anyone: the young, old, or at any time: day or night, or wherever, even in protected places, people can still die. Thus, death does not spare anyone. When the angel of God comes to knock the soul, calling it out of the body, is a mystery. Life and death are tied together. We can say that people are born to die. The whole life is a process advancing to death: birth, aging, sickness and death. Hence, there are certain persons, who fall into the habit of flying on the airplane, make sure to reconcile themselves with God through the sacrament of penance.

 For those who believe in the resurrection of Christ, the Savior of the world, then death is not the end, nor the permanent separation. Death is only a change from generation to generation. The surviving relatives need to bring the presence of the deceased to the family life with images, achievements and memories of the deceased along with prayers and sacrifices offered to God for them.

 The liturgical celebration of All Souls remind the faithful as pilgrims on their journey home to God, they do not travel alone, but with the whole people of God, with Mary and the saints in heaven, with the faithful on earth and the souls in purgatory.

 According to the dogma of the Communion of Saints, then Mary and the saints in heaven can intercede for the faithful on earth. The faithful on earth can pray for each other, support each other morally and pray for the souls in purgatory. Catechesis of the faithful on earth praying for the souls in purgatory is called the dogma of the Communion of Saints by the Councils of Nicea II, Florence and Trent and the living Communion by the Second Vatican Council (Church # 51).

 Thus, the faith of Catholics is supported to the utmost with intercession of Mary and the saints and prayer, sacrifice and example of others. Even when lying down permanently, the deceased is still supported by prayers of family members, relatives, friends, and of the whole Church and by mass offered for their intentions. Knowing this, that is, knowing after death, they are still remembered by their loved ones and friends with prayers and mass offered for their intentions, is so much warming their hearts.

 In case of a patient that doctors give up, then at some point near death, relatives of the patient have to let him/her know so that he/she may prepare to face death and to say farewell words to relatives. The family members should also arrange to invite a priest to anoint the patient so that he/she may reconcile with God through the sacrament of penance, instead of waiting until the point of death lest it might be too late. In order for the relatives not to feel remorse for not knowing how to make funeral arrangements, as well as to avoid litigation about substantial assets of the deceased, then at a certain age a will should be made for the relatives to follow.

 Even in the Old Testament, Isaiah could look to a vision when the savior of the world will come to: ‘destroy death’ (Is 25: 8). As for Paul, he told the Romans to hope for a day when they: ‘will be freed from its slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God’ (Rom 8:21). Preface I of the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed reminds the faithful that: ‘Life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death, we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven’. Death is a change for Christ has conquered death by his resurrection. By his resurrection, Christ has removed the sins and conquered death.

 Before going back to heaven, Jesus also promised us through the apostle: ‘I am indeed going to prepare a place for you, and then I shall come back to take you with me, that where I am, you also may be’ (Jn 14:3). That promise was fulfilled to one of the criminals crucified beside Jesus: ‘I assure you: this day you will be with me in paradise’ (Lk 23:43).

 Today because of piety and Christian charity, we come to church to celebrate Mass praying for the repose of the souls in purgatory: the souls of our deceased ancestors, grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins, relatives and friends. We ask God for his kindness, mercy and forgiveness, judging leniently and bringing their souls to enjoy graceful happiness in his kingdom. According to tradition in the Church, today the faithful are encouraged to visit the cemetery to pray for the souls of the deceased, especially for the souls of our ancestors, grandparents, parents and family members. In the month of All Souls, the faithful are also reminded to offer mass with prayers for their intentions.

 Prayer for the faithful departed:

 Oh! All mighty and merciful God.

You did not want humankind to die eternally, but to live.

We ask you to show mercy to the faithful departed.

Take the blood of your Son poured down for the sins of humankind

to cleanse the stain of sin for the souls of those departed

that they may inherit eternal life. Amen.

 John Tran Binh Trong